Elizabeth and the saleswoman both turned toward the sound of the voice. Leaning casually against the wall near the door, Albin stood with his trademark playful grin, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp.
The saleswoman froze for a moment, startled by his sudden appearance. Her surprise quickly melted into a practiced smile as she hurried over to him.
“Mr. Murray! What brings you here today? Are you shopping for yourself or looking for a gift? It’s a slow day, and we don’t have customers in here—why don’t you sit down and enjoy some coffee while I bring out a few items for you to look at?”
Albin pushed off the wall and walked further into the store, his expression casual but his tone biting.
“No customers? Then what about her?” He gestured toward Elizabeth, still standing by the counter. “Are you blind or just not thinking straight? Can’t you see the lady standing right here?”
The sales associate faltered, suddenly realizing she’d made a misstep. She glanced nervously at Elizabeth, then back at Albin, piecing together her own assumption: Albin didn’t actually know this woman, but his interest in her was piqued. She must be another one of those opportunistic beauties who used their looks to attract wealthy men.
It was said that Albin was a wealthy heir who couldn’t seem to succeed at anything, spending his days indulging in pleasure. He must have noticed this pretty but shabby woman and decided to play the hero.
She silently cursed Elizabeth. Moreover, Elizabeth’s features were so perfect, they must be the result of plastic surgery.
Her expression grew sly as her thoughts raced. She leaned closer to Albin and spoke in a low voice.
“Mr. Murray, don’t mind her. She’s just one of those women who loiter around trying to catch a rich guy’s attention. She doesn’t buy anything—just waits to reel someone in with her looks.”
Albin’s gaze slid to Elizabeth briefly before returning to the sales associate. His smile didn’t waver, but there was something dangerously sarcastic in his tone.
“And you know so much about her… how?”
Elizabeth, leaning casually against the counter, watched the exchange with detached amusement. She had no intention of interrupting Albin’s little performance.
The sales associate, misunderstanding his reaction, pressed on eagerly.
“As salespeople, we see all kinds of customers every day,” she said, her tone turning proud.
“Mr. Murray, men don’t think the way we do. You might not notice, but I can see right through her.”
Albin’s playful smile dropped, his expression darkening in an instant.
“Do you take me for an idiot?” he snapped, his tone icy.
The sales associate paled, her confidence crumbling.
“I didn’t mean it like that…” she stammered, realizing she’d overplayed her hand.
Her resentment toward Elizabeth surged. If not for this woman, she wouldn’t have offended someone as important as Albin.
As she scrambled for a way to salvage the situation, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure outside the store.
Sandra. The bold, stylish outfit made her instantly recognizable.
She recalled rumors of Sandra being close to Albin. She quickly put two and two together.
The girlfriend’s here—and now there’s a perfect chance to use this against her rival.
She subtly signaled to another sales associate nearby, who had shared gossip about Sandra and Albin.
The other associate nodded and hurried outside to approach Sandra.
“Miss Nash?” The second associate greeted her warmly. “Were you looking for someone?”
Sandra paused, giving her a puzzled look.
“Do you know me?”
The associate smiled sweetly.
“Of course. I’m from Morwick. I’ve seen you and Mr. Murray together before. You’re such a perfect match—how could I forget?” She gestured toward the store.
“Mr. Murray is inside right now. I noticed you looking around and thought I’d check if you were searching for him.”
Sandra’s sharp instincts told her something was off about this sudden friendliness, but the associate’s words were complimentary and polite.
A sales associate from such a big brand wouldn’t lie about something like this, she reasoned.
“Thank you. I’ll go find him now,” Sandra replied, her tone neutral.
The associate hesitated, as if she had more to say.
“Miss Nash…”
Sandra raised an eyebrow.
“What is it? Is there something else?”
The associate lowered her voice, feigning reluctance.
“Well… there’s a woman in the store who’s been clinging to Mr. Murray. We couldn’t just ask her to leave…”
Sandra’s expression hardened. She’d recently read about sales associates seducing customers’ partners. Could the same thing be happening to her?
Her thoughts spiraled. Albin, that lazy good-for-nothing, had gone to the restroom earlier but now seemed to be lingering here, flirting with another woman?
They’d only been dating for a few days, and he was already bored?
The anger bubbling inside her erased any caution, and she stormed toward the Morwick counter.
The moment Sandra entered, she spotted Albin standing with his back to her, seemingly talking to a woman close enough to touch.
But the woman was also wearing a sales associate’s uniform, not the customer the other associate had mentioned.
In such a short time, Albin had flirted with two women?
Her fury boiled over. Without waiting to process what she was seeing, she stormed up and slapped the sales associate across the face.
The brisk sound echoed through the store, plunging the counter into an awkward, stunned silence.
Everyone turned to look, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.
Sandra stood with her hands on her hips, her voice sharp as she unleashed her anger.
“You vixen! Are you flirting with my man? And you worthless jerk! You’ve got a gorgeous girlfriend like me, and you’re still not satisfied? Flirting with this old woman? Have you lost your mind?”
Albin turned around, his brows furrowed in genuine confusion.
“Sandra, what are you doing here?”
At the counter, Elizabeth straightened up, her curiosity piqued.
“Sandra?”
The slapped sales associate clutched her reddened cheek, her expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.
She glanced desperately at the other associate who had brought Sandra in, who now stood frozen by the door, wide-eyed and stunned.
“What… just happened?” the other associate whispered, unable to process the chaos she had unintentionally unleashed.
